Screw attachment system for electronic assemblies

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention discloses an apparatus for mating computing device structures. The apparatus comprises a first bracket coupled to a pluggable electronic device. The first bracket comprises a first set of one or more attachment features that are capable of coupling to corresponding receiving features of a supporting structure. The apparatus further comprises a second bracket coupled to the pluggable electronic device. The second bracket comprises a second set of one or more attachment features that are capable of coupling to corresponding receiving features of a supporting structure. In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises one or more guide tubes coupled to the pluggable electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of computing devicestructures, and more particularly to a screw attachment system forelectronic assemblies.

A central electronic complex (CEC) structure is a set of hardware thatdefines a computer assembly (e.g., a mainframe computer), which includescentral processing units (CPUs), computer memory, communicationchannels, data controllers, storage devices, power supplies, and othercomputing components. A CEC can be installed into a rack (e.g., a serverrack) that is a component of a mainframe computer assembly or anothercollection of computing devices. Mainframe computers are computingsystems that are utilized for critical applications and bulk dataprocessing, such as statistical processing, enterprise resourceplanning, and transaction processing.

CECs are capable of connecting and interfacing with additional computingcomponents and electronic assemblies of a mainframe computer or othercomputing system, and many such components are capable of plugging intoa CEC. For example, a power supply can be a pluggable device that can beattached to a CEC as part of a mainframe computer assembly. Inadditional examples, distributed converter assemblies (DCAs) can bepluggable electronic assembly devices that may be installed with aconnection to a CEC.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention discloses an apparatus for mating computingdevice structures. The apparatus comprises a first bracket coupled to apluggable electronic device. The first bracket comprises a first set ofone or more attachment features that are capable of coupling tocorresponding receiving features of a supporting structure. Theapparatus further comprises a second bracket coupled to the pluggableelectronic device. The second bracket comprises a second set of one ormore attachment features that are capable of coupling to correspondingreceiving features of a supporting structure. In another aspect, theapparatus further comprises one or more guide tubes coupled to thepluggable electronic device. The one or more guide tubes each comprisesan opening through the one or more guide tubes, wherein the opening isaligned to a respective attachment feature of the second set of one ormore attachment features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and notintended to limit the disclosure solely thereto, will best beappreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an example depiction illustrating a data processing system, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic assembly that includes a screwattachment system, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an installation of electronic assembly that includesa screw attachment system into a supporting structure, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bracket assembly coupled to an electronic assemblythat includes a screw attachment system, in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a supporting structure, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a supporting structure, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a bulkhead assembly, in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates a bulkhead assembly, in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembly of anelectronic assembly, a bulkhead assembly, and a supporting structure, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein withreference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understoodthat the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of potentialembodiments of the invention and may take various forms. In addition,each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments isalso intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. This descriptionis intended to be interpreted merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the various aspectsof the present disclosure. In the description, details of well-knownfeatures and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe presented embodiments.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper,” “lower,”“right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” andderivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosed structures andmethods, as oriented in the drawing figures. The terms “overlying,”“atop,” “on,” “positioned on,” or “positioned atop” mean that a firstelement, such as a first structure, is present on a second element, suchas a second structure, wherein intervening elements, such as aninterface structure may be present between the first element and thesecond element. Additionally, the terms “coupled to” and “attached to”mean that a first element, such as a first structure, is coupled to asecond element, such as a second structure, wherein interveningelements, such as an interface structure may be present between thefirst element and the second element.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended tobe exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles ofthe embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement overtechnologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a multiple screw attachmentsystem to attach an electronic assembly to a supporting structure, whichcan mechanically isolate the electronic assemblies.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe Figures. FIG. 1 is an example depiction illustrating data processingsystem 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of example computing components thatmay be assembled together in a computing system of data processingsystem 100. Data processing system 100 can be a mainframe computer orassembly of computing systems that utilizes a system frame (e.g., asystem rack). Data processing system 100 includes rack 102, rails 104,bulkhead 106, central electronic complex (CEC) 108, air moving assembly(AMA) 110, and distributed converter assemblies (DCAs) 112.

Rack 102 is a system frame (e.g., a server rack, a server cabinet, acomputer cabinet), which is capable of housing multiple computingsystems (e.g., CEC 108). Rack 102 can include one or more sets of rails104, which allow for a horizontal installation of computing systems intorack 102. Rails 104 are coupled to the side-walls of rack 102 andprovide structural support to a horizontally installed computing system(e.g., CEC 108). In other embodiments, rails 104 can be in a differentconfiguration and/or location within rack 102, while still providingsupport to a computing device. In additional embodiments, rack 102 caninclude additional instances of rails 104 (not shown), which allowsadditional computing devices to be installed and housed within rack 102.Rack 102 further includes one or more instances of bulkhead 106.Bulkhead 106 provides a back surface to which computing devices that areinstalled in rack 102 (on rails 104) can be structurally coupled. Forexample, a computing device (e.g., CEC 108) is installed in rack 102 onrails 104, and a portion (e.g., a back portion) of the computing deviceis structurally coupled to bulkhead 106. In various embodiments,bulkhead 106 is capable of interfacing with computing devices (e.g., AMA110 and DCAs 112) on both sides of bulkhead 106 (e.g., via gasketfeatures, screw retention features, brackets, etc.).

Central electronic complex (CEC) 108 is computing structure thatincludes a set of hardware that defines a computer assembly (e.g., amainframe computer or other computing system utilizing a system frame,such as rack 102). In example embodiments, CEC 108 can include, orattach to, computing components including central processing units(CPUs), computer memory, communication channels, data controllers,storage devices, power supplies, etc. In one embodiment, CEC 108 isinstalled horizontally into rack 102 utilizing rails 104 and isstructurally coupled to bulkhead 106. CEC 108 may be secured within rack102 and structurally coupled to bulkhead 106 utilizing a variety ofknown techniques.

Air moving assembly (AMA) 110 is a supporting structural enclosure thatprovides the ability to enclose the air-moving devices (AMDs) and DCAsthat are attached to CEC 108. In an example embodiment, AMA 110 is ametal enclosure that includes a plurality of sections that are capableof enclosing and housing computing components. For example, AMA 110 iscapable of providing a supporting enclosure for devices, such as DCAs112. In one embodiment, AMA 110 is installed horizontally bystructurally coupling AMA 110 to bulkhead 106 (e.g., on an opposite sideof bulkhead 106 relative to the installation of CEC 108). In variousembodiments, AMA 110 can be structurally coupled to CEC 108 via bulkhead106. AMA 110 may be secured (e.g., to bulkhead 106 and/or CEC 108)utilizing a variety of known techniques.

Distributed converter assemblies (DCAs) 112 are pluggable devices, whichcan include electronic assembly interconnects, that can plug into CEC108 and be enclosed by AMA 110. In various embodiments, DCAs 112 can bea variety of computing components or electronic assemblies that can pluginto, and structurally attach to, CEC 108 (e.g., via bulkhead 106). Inanother embodiment, DCAs 112 can be computing components that can beenclosed and supported by a section of AMA 110. In an example, DCAs 112are each an assembly of power supplies and cooling fans that comprise apluggable device (e.g., into CEC 108). In one embodiment, DCAs 112 areinstalled (e.g., plugged into and attached to) in connection to CEC 108and enclosed by AMA 110. In another embodiment, electronic assemblyinterconnects of DCAs 112 are mated to corresponding receivingelectronic assemble interconnects of CEC 108. In yet another embodiment,DCAs 112 can attach to CEC 108 via bulkhead 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of electronic assembly 200, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

Electronic assembly 200 includes DCA 202, which is an example of anelectronic assembly device. In one embodiment, DCA 202 is an electronicassembly device, such as an instance of DCAs 112 (previously describedin FIG. 1). In an example, DCA 202 is an assembly of power supplies andcooling fans that comprise a pluggable device (e.g., into a supportingstructure, such as an AMA).

DCA 202 includes latches 204, which are resident to DCA 202. Latches 204are rotatable latches that rotate on a pivot point and are capable of(at least partially) securing DCA 202 to a supporting structure (e.g.,an AMA). In an example embodiment, latches 204 include latch clawfeatures that, when latches 204 are closed, engage to a latch claw catchof a supporting structure and (at least partially) secure DCA 202 to asupporting structure and mate electronic connectors of DCA 202 toanother electronic assembly (e.g., a CEC). In various embodiments,latches 204 can be made of various materials known in the art (e.g.,1008 steel, 6061 aluminum, etc.). In another embodiment, latches 204include respective latch openings 205. Latch openings 205 are recessedfeatures of latches 204 that facilitate access of a tool to guide tubes224 once latches 204 are in a closed position. In other embodiments,latches 204 can include additional instances of latch openings 205; forexample, latch openings to facilitate access to retention screws 215,etc.

DCA 202 also includes latch catch 206, bracket 210, and retention screws215. In one embodiment, latch catch 206 is coupled to bracket 210 and/orDCA 202. Latch catch 206 is a structure that is capable of retaininglatches 204 in place when latches 204 are in a closed position (e.g.,when DCA 202 is plugged into a system and also when DCA 202 is notplugged into a system. In various embodiments, latch catch 206 iscapable of retaining latches 204 in place, which limits exposure oflatches 204 to damage. Bracket 210 is attached to DCA 202 and housesretention screws 215. In one embodiment, bracket 210 is attached to DCA202 utilizing screws. In other embodiments, bracket 210 can attach toDCA 202 utilizing other methods known in the art. In variousembodiments, bracket 210 can be made of various materials known in theart (e.g., 1008 steel, 6061 aluminum, etc.). Bracket 210 holds retentionscrews 215 in place and aligns retention screws with correspondingthreaded receivers in a supporting structure (e.g., an AMA). In anexample embodiment, bracket 210 includes one or more openings in whichretention screws 215 are housed. The openings are capable of holdingretention screws 215 in place and allowing retention screws 215 torotate and screw into corresponding threaded receiving assemblies (e.g.,in an AMA). In other embodiments, bracket 210 can be a form or structurecoupled to DCA 202 that is different than depicted in FIG. 2, providingthat another form of bracket 210 is capable of housing one or moreinstances of retention screws 215 and aligning retention screws 215 withcorresponding threaded receiving assemblies in a supporting structure.In an example, bracket 210 is designed in such a manner that openings inbracket 210 align with corresponding threaded receiving assemblies in acorresponding supporting structure.

Retention screws 215 are attachment features that are housed in bracket210 and support attachment of DCA 202 to a supporting structure (e.g.,an AMA). In one embodiment, retention screws 215 are one or more screwsthat are capable of screwing into corresponding threaded receivingfeatures of a supporting structure. In an example embodiment, retentionscrews 215 include a cap, which allow manual tightening of retentionscrews 215 (e.g., hand-tightening by a human). In another exampleembodiment, retention screws 215 include a head portion that is capableof tightening from a tool (e.g., manually from a human or from amachine). In other embodiments, retention screws 215 can be other formsof fasteners that are capable of being housed by bracket 210 andcoupling DCA 202 to a supporting structure (e.g., mechanically couplingand/or adhesively coupling).

DCA 202 also includes screw bracket 220, spring-loaded screw assemblies222, and guide tubes 224. Screw bracket 220 is attached to DCA 202 andhouses spring-loaded screw assemblies 222. In one embodiment, screwbracket 220 houses spring-loaded screw assemblies 222, which areretracted during installation and removal processes of DCA 202. Screwbracket 220 is discussed in further detail with regard to bracketassembly 400 in FIG. 4.

Spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 are attachment features that arehoused in spring bracket 220 and support attachment of DCA 202 toanother electronic assembly device (e.g., to a CEC via coupling to abulkhead). In one embodiment, spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 are oneor more floating, spring-loaded screws that are capable of screwing intocorresponding threaded receiving features of a supporting structure(e.g., a bulkhead of a CEC). For example, spring-loaded screw assemblies222 are spring-loaded floating screws that are housed in screw bracket220. Spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 include a head portion on theend of spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 facing guide tubes 224, whichfacilitates receiving a tool to screw spring-loaded screw assemblies 222into a supporting structure. In other embodiments, spring-loaded screwassemblies 222 can be other forms of attachment features orspring-loaded fasteners that are capable of coupling DCA 202 to anotherelectronic assembly device (e.g., via mechanical coupling to abulkhead).

In the depicted embodiment of electronic assembly 200, spring-loadedscrew assemblies 222 are retracted and housed in screw bracket 220(e.g., retracted into an enclosed position in screw bracket 220).Spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 are retracted during installation andremoval processes of DCA 202 (e.g., when DCA 202 is not attached to asupporting structure or when a tool is not engaging spring-loaded screwassemblies 222, etc.). For example, spring-loaded screw assemblies 222are self-retracting assemblies and when removing DCA 202 from asupporting structure, such as an AMA, spring-loaded screw assemblies 222retract back into bracket 210. In an additional embodiment, bracket 210(i.e., a bracket housing the screws attaching the DCA to the AMA)includes a nominal gap to ensure that, with tolerances, bracket 210 willnot prevent spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 from reaching themechanical down-stop position (e.g., when screwing into a bulkhead of aCEC).

Guide tubes 224 are attached to DCA 202, and the openings in guide tubes224 are aligned with latch openings 205, spring-loaded screw assemblies222, and openings of screw bracket 220. Guide tubes 224 facilitateaccess of a tool to spring-loaded screw assemblies 222. In oneembodiment, guide tubes 224 assist a tool with aligning to, and screwingin, spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 (e.g., into a bulkhead).

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of electronic assembly installation 300, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Electronic assembly installation 300 includes DCA 202 and AMA 302. Inthe depicted embodiment of FIG. 3, DCA 202 is shown prior to insertion(e.g., installation) into an opening of AMA 302. In one embodiment, AMA302 is a support structure, such as AMA 110 (previously described inFIG. 1). In an example, AMA 302 is a supporting structural enclosurethat provides the ability to enclose the air-moving devices (AMDs) andDCAs (e.g., DCA 202) that are attached to a CEC (e.g., CEC 108 in FIG.1).

AMA 302 includes guide tube relief bumps 304 and threaded receivers 306.Guide tube relief bumps 304 are features of AMA 302 that providerecesses to accommodate guide tubes 224 and screw bracket 220 wheninserting DCA 202 into AMA 302. In an example embodiment, guide tuberelief bumps 304 provide at least enough space to allow DCA 202 to beinstalled in AMA 302, while allowing guide tubes 224 to not interferewith the installation process. AMA 302 includes a number of guide tuberelief bumps 304 that corresponds to the number of guide tubes 224 andspring-loaded screw assemblies 222 of DCA 202.

Threaded receivers 306 are threaded screw receiving features of AMA 302,which receive retention screws 215 of DCA 202. Threaded receivers 306are aligned with retention screws 215 (e.g., as defined by bracket 210),allowing retention screws 215 to be advanced (e.g., screwed into)threaded receivers 306 when DCA 202 is inserted into AMA 302. In exampleembodiments, threaded receivers 306 include threading that correspondsto retention screws 215. In other embodiments, threaded receivers 306can be other forms of receiving features that are capable of coupling toretention screws 215 (e.g., receiving features for fasteners).

In an example, for assembly of DCA 202 into AMA 302, DCA 202 is insertedinto a corresponding opening of AMA 302, and latches 204 are closed,which mates electronic connections of DCA 202 to another electronicassembly device (e.g., to a CEC). A tool is inserted through latchopenings 205 and guide tubes 224 to engage spring-loaded screwassemblies 222, and the tool advances spring-loaded screw assemblies 222(e.g., compressing the springs of the screw assemblies) through theopening of bracket 210 and into corresponding screw receiving featuresof a bulkhead of a CEC. In addition, retention screws 215 are torqued,which advances retention screws 215 into threaded receivers 306 of AMA302. In another example embodiment, latches 204 are closed (e.g.,pivoted to a closed position), which engages latch catch 206. Latchcatch 206 retains latches 204 in the closed position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of bracket assembly 400, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

Bracket assembly 400 includes bracket 210, which is attached to DCA 202.Bracket 210 houses spring-loaded screw assemblies 222, which includespring 225. Spring 225 allows spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 to beself-retracting. For example, when DCA 202 is removed from AMA 302,spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 retract back into bracket 210.Spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 are retracted when the end portionsof spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 (e.g., the threaded portions) arecontained within bracket 210 (e.g., the threaded portions are notexposed outside of bracket 210). In various embodiments, spring 225 canbe any of a variety of springs known in the art (e.g., as a component ofa spring-loaded floating screw), in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. In an example embodiment, spring-loaded screwassemblies 222 are spring-loaded to ensure that spring-loaded screwassemblies 222 are recessed from the bulkhead during initialinstallation of DCA 202 and so that spring-loaded screw assemblies 222self-retract prior to removal of DCA 202 from AMA 302.

In the depicted embodiment, the base portion (e.g., the portion attachedto DCA 202) of bracket 210 is exposed due to a removal of a top cover ofDCA 202. In one embodiment, bracket 210 is coupled to DCA 202 utilizinginherent retention screws of a card connector of DCA 202 (and isregistered to the card connector), which increases dimensional tolerancecontrol of the assembly. In other embodiments, bracket 210 can attach toDCA 202 utilizing other known fastening methods, provided thatspring-loaded screw assemblies 222 are aligned with correspondingreceiving features of a bulkhead.

FIG. 5A illustrates a view of supporting structure 500, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

In the depicted embodiment, supporting structure 500 includes AMA 302.AMA 302 is previously described in greater detail with regard to FIG. 3.In one embodiment, AMA 302 is a support structure, such as AMA 110(previously described in FIG. 1). AMA 302 includes guide tube reliefbumps 304 and guide tube relief bumps 308.

Guide tube relief bumps 304 are features of AMA 302 that providerecesses to accommodate guide tubes 224 and screw bracket 220 wheninserting DCA 202 into AMA 302 (discussed in greater detail with regardto FIG. 3). In the depicted embodiment, guide tube relief bumps 304 arerecess features on the face of AMA 302 that accommodate insertion ofguide tubes of a DCA into AMA 302, and guide tube relief bumps 308 arerecess features through AMA 302 that accommodate insertion of guidetubes of a DCA into AMA 302. For example, guide tube relief bumps 304allow insertion of a DCA with guide tubes into the face of AMA 302, andguide tube relief bumps 308 allow insertion of the DCA with guide tubesthrough AMA 302.

FIG. 5B illustrates a view of supporting structure 550, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

In the depicted embodiment, supporting structure 550 includes AMA 302and gasket 510. AMA 302 is previously described in greater detail withregard to FIGS. 3 and 5A. AMA 302 includes threaded receivers 306 andguide tube relief bumps 308.

Threaded receivers 306 are threaded screw receiving features of AMA 302,which receive retention screws from an electronic assembly, such as aDCA. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 5B, AMA 302 depicts the bottom sideof guide tube relief bumps 308, which allow insertion of the DCA withguide tubes through AMA 302.

Gasket 510 is a feature of a bulkhead, such as bulkhead 106 (previouslydescribed in FIG. 1), which facilitates prevention of excessiveelectromagnetic interference (EMI) energy from escaping from the areasurrounding the mated connection between a DCA and the bulkhead. In anexample embodiment, gasket 510 is a mechanical seal that fills the spacebetween two mating surfaces, such as a bulkhead and a DCA. In variousembodiments, gasket 510 can be comprised of materials known and utilizedin the art. In on embodiment, a DCA (e.g., DCA 202) is inserted into AMA302, and electronic connections of the DCA mate with correspondingelectronic connections of a CEC, through the opening in AMA 302 that issurrounded by gasket 510. Then, when the DCA is secured to AMA 302 andthe electronic connections of the DCA are secured to the correspondingconnections of the CEC (e.g., utilizing retention screws 215,spring-loaded screw assemblies 222, and latches 204), gasket 510provides a seal surrounding the mated electronic connections.

FIG. 6A illustrates a view of bulkhead assembly 600, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

In the depicted embodiment, bulkhead assembly 600 includes bulkhead 602and CEC screw retention features 604. In one embodiment, bulkhead 602provides a structure, such as bulkhead 106 (previously discussed in FIG.1), which can facilitate mating of an AMA and a DCA to a CEC. In anexample embodiment, bulkhead 602 is a component of a rack of computingdevices, such as rack 102.

In one embodiment, CEC screw retention features 604 are threaded screwreceiving features that correspond to screw attachments from a CEC. Inan example, a CEC (e.g., CEC 108) couples to bulkhead 602 utilizingscrews (or other attachment methods) and CEC screw retention features604. In another embodiment, bulkhead 602 can include a different numberof CEC screw retention features 604 (e.g., more or less than thedepicted number of retention features). In yet another embodiment,bulkhead 602 can include CEC screw retention features 604 differentpositions in bulkhead 602. In other embodiments, CEC screw retentionfeatures 604 can be other forms of receiving features that are capableof coupling to attachment features of a CEC (e.g., receiving featuresfor fasteners).

FIG. 6B illustrates a view of bulkhead assembly 650, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

In the depicted embodiment, bulkhead assembly 650 is a depiction of theopposite side of bulkhead 602, relative to the depiction of bulkhead 602in bulkhead assembly 600. Bulkhead 602 includes gasket 510 and DCA screwretention features 606. Gasket 510 is a feature of bulkhead 602, whichfacilitates prevention of excessive electromagnetic interference (EMI)energy from escaping from the area surrounding the mated connectionbetween a DCA and bulkhead 602 (discussed in further detail with regardto FIG. 5B).

In one embodiment, DCA screw retention features 606 are threaded screwreceiving features of bulkhead 602 that correspond to spring-loadedscrew assemblies 222 of DCA 202. In another embodiment, DCA screwretention features 606 also include features to accommodate guide tubes224 of DCA 202. In an example, a DCA 202 couples to bulkhead 602utilizing spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 mating to correspondinginstances of DCA screw retention features 606. In this example, DCA 202couples to bulkhead 602 on the opposite side of bulkhead 602 relative tothe coupled CEC, which causes electronic connections of the CEC and DCA202 to mate. In other embodiments, DCA screw retention features 606 canbe other forms of receiving features that are capable of coupling tospring-loaded screw assemblies 222 of DCA 202 (e.g., receiving featuresfor fasteners).

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of connected assembly 700, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

In the depicted embodiment, connected assembly 700 includes an assemblyof DCA 202, AMA 302, and bulkhead 602. DCA 202 is inserted into AMA 302and coupled to AMA 302 utilizing support screw attachment 702 (i.e.,coupling of retention screws 215 to threaded receivers 306).Additionally, DCA 202 is coupled to bulkhead 602 utilizing spring-loadedscrew assemblies 222 (e.g., coupled to DCA screw retention features606). DCA 202 is connected to a CEC utilizing DCA connector 704. Invarious embodiments, DCA connector 704 is comprised of electronicconnections of DCA 202 that can attach to corresponding electronicconnections of a CEC.

In additional embodiments, AMA 302 includes air flow plenum 706. In oneembodiment, air flow plenum 706 facilitates improved air circulationwithin AMA 302. For example, air flow plenum 706 is an opening withinAMA 302 that does not include an obstruction (e.g., a support screw forDCA 202), which provides for a less-obstructed air flow path throughconnected assembly 700. In an example embodiment, air flow plenum 706includes top portions of guide tube relief bumps 304, which separateguide tubes 224 from air flow plenum 706.

In an example embodiment, once DCA 202 is assembled to AMA 302, thecoupling features of retention screws 215 and spring-loaded screwassemblies 222 act to mechanically isolate the connector system (e.g.,DCA connector 704) from out-of-phase motion and attributable platingconnector wear. Additionally, the coupling features of retention screws215 and spring-loaded screw assemblies 222 establish a secondaryelectrical grounding path within connected assembly 700.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for mating computing devicestructures, the apparatus comprising: a first bracket coupled to apluggable electronic device, the first bracket comprising a first set ofone or more attachment features that are capable of coupling tocorresponding receiving features of a supporting structure; and a secondbracket coupled to the pluggable electronic device, the second bracketcomprising a second set of one or more attachment features that arecapable of coupling to corresponding receiving features of a supportingstructure.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or moreguide tubes coupled to the pluggable electronic device, the one or moreguide tubes each comprising an opening through the one or more guidetubes; and wherein the opening is aligned to a respective attachmentfeature of the second set of one or more attachment features.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, further comprising: one or more rotatable latches;the one or more rotatable latches coupled to the pluggable electronicdevice; the one or more rotatable latches each including a recessedfeature that comprises an opening through the one or more rotatablelatches; and wherein the opening is aligned to a respective opening ofthe one or more guide tubes.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of one or more attachment features are a set of one or morescrew mechanisms.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the set of one ormore screw mechanisms comprises a cap portion that is capable of manualcoupling the set of one or more screw mechanisms to correspondingreceiving features of a supporting structure.
 6. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the second set of one or more attachment features are a setof one or more spring-loaded screw assemblies.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the pluggable electronic device is a power supply.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 2, further comprising: the first set of one or moreattachment features coupled to corresponding receiving features of afirst supporting structure; the second set of one or more attachmentfeatures coupled to corresponding receiving features of a secondsupporting structure; and wherein the first supporting structureencloses at least a portion of the pluggable electronic device.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the first set of one or more attachmentfeatures are coupled to corresponding receiving features on a faceportion of the first supporting structure.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the first supporting structure is an air moving assembly (AMA).11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second supporting structure iscoupled to a back portion of the first supporting structure.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 8: wherein the first supporting structure comprisesone or more recess features from a face portion of the first supportingstructure through to a back portion of the first supporting structure;and wherein the one or more recess features accommodate the one or moreguide tubes.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first supportstructure includes an air flow plenum that does not include the firstset of one or more attachment features, the one or more guide tubes, andthe second set of one or more attachment features.
 14. An apparatus formating computing device structures, the apparatus comprising: a firstbracket coupled to a pluggable electronic device, the first bracketcomprising a first set of one or more attachment features that arecapable of coupling to corresponding receiving features on a faceportion of a first supporting structure; and a second bracket coupled tothe pluggable electronic device, the second bracket comprising a secondset of one or more attachment features that are capable of coupling tocorresponding receiving features of a second supporting structure. 15.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first set of one or moreattachment features are a set of one or more screw mechanisms thatcomprise a cap portion that is capable of manual coupling the set of oneor more screw mechanisms to corresponding receiving features of asupporting structure.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14: wherein the secondset of one or more attachment features are a set of one or morespring-loaded screw assemblies; and wherein the set of one or morespring-loaded screw assemblies are capable of retracting into anenclosed position within the second bracket when the set of one or morespring-loaded screw assemblies are not coupled to a supporting structureor not engaged by a tool.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising: one or more guide tubes coupled to the pluggable electronicdevice, the one or more guide tubes each comprising an opening throughthe one or more guide tubes capable of receiving a tool through theopening to engage a respective attachment feature; and wherein theopening is aligned to a respective attachment feature of the second setof one or more attachment features.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,further comprising: one or more rotatable latches; the one or morerotatable latches coupled to the pluggable electronic device; the one ormore rotatable latches each including a recessed feature that comprisesan opening through the one or more rotatable latches; and wherein theopening is aligned to a respective opening of the one or more guidetubes and capable of receiving a tool through the opening to engage therespective opening to the one or more guide tubes.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the second supporting structure is coupled to a backportion of the first supporting structure.
 20. The apparatus of claim17: wherein the first supporting structure comprises one or more recessfeatures from a face portion of the first supporting structure throughto a back portion of the first supporting structure; and wherein the oneor more recess features accommodate the one or more guide tubes.